A Screech Owl’s Evening
Eastern Screech Owl
There was a thump on the side of the car door. We went back. A cute little bird stood in the road with one wing laid down to his side. Picking him up, I remember his feet were so soft. They reminded me of our kitties’ paws.
We were returning from Tango late and now we would find ourselves planning an early morning visit to the rehabilitator. A box and a warm place isolated from the cats seemed the only comfort we could give. Maybe a broken wing or internal injuries, I thought. About ready to relax for the night we checked our patient again.
His eyes were changed now. They were of brilliant color with pupils bursting to cover the newly awakened irises. Scared, angry and summoning the little beast within him, his anxious talons reacted to my grip. They were sharp and cutting. We would have to return him to the spot along the road. Midnight now, another ghost-like bird of similar species burst from the field on the way. To the exact spot I stepped out into our head lights to watch if he could fly. He did, looking so much like the other. He was white and fluttering and came to rest on a nearby branch. It was mating season now and there was much to be accomplished. We had only briefly intervened in his affairs. Screech Owl $350